Madera Architectural Elements, our artisan collective, collaborated on a racy installation this month entitled “Don’t Look!” The idea was to create custom furnishings around a single theme and in this case it became a theatric boudoir. Why a boudoir? Mostly it was inspired by “Entrance Denied,” the scheduled show in Mineral, the gallery next [...]
Category Archives: Feature
Doing our part…more than custom furniture
July 29, 2010 – 10:34pm
Earlier this month we had the opportunity to help out Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and their annual fundraiser, Zoobilee, by building 9 platforms for performers to dance upon. With plywood donated by Gray Lumber we split the tasks around the shop and nearly everyone played a part in making BCRA‘s design come to life. [...]
Intern turns into Apprentice!
July 22, 2010 – 8:28am
Back in January when Ryan was interning with us through the SOTA J-Term Internships he had expressed his desire to learn more about custom woodworking. So we tossed around the idea of an apprenticeship after his graduation. In between Ryan completed his senior community project here in the shop – an out door bench made from [...]
Thanks to our interns!
July 14, 2010 – 9:49am
Earlier this year we were fortunate enough to have two awesome high school seniors from SOTA intern with us. Kenzie Ballew primarily worked at updating our various electronic media and Ryan Holbrook worked in the shop making a few display items and shelving. The highlight for both of them was an installation of scrap wood [...]
Elroy’s Chair going to benefit for NW Furniture bank!
February 26, 2010 – 1:44pm
The Northwest Furniture Bank is hosting a fund raising auction on March 4 at the Tacoma Art Museum. Dubbed the Chair Affair, the event will be an auction of artfully embellished chairs from over 50 regional artists. Most participants started with old and worn out chairs and creatively decorated them in interesting and fun themes. [...]
MAE opening soiree, in a word, WOW!
December 6, 2009 – 10:08pm
After months of planning and anticipation the Grand Opening celebration for Madera Architectural Elements was a fabulous success! The turnout was great with well over 100 attendees. Thanks to everyone who came to show their support! The MAE showroom is now open. Hours are usually Monday through Friday 11:00 – 3:00 and by appointment. Check [...]
Madera Architectural Elements coming Nov. 22!!!
October 18, 2009 – 10:40pm
For the past 3 years, Gallery Madera has showcased an amazing variety of original art from Tacoma’s creative. Twenty select shows have featured paintings, ceramics, glass, metal sculpture, contemporary furniture and more from well over 100 local and regional artists.Building upon this history as a popular venue for originality, the gallery will shift its focus [...]
Our portfolio – Creative Interior Solutions – now available on Blurb.com
September 24, 2009 – 8:56pm
We recently published a portfolio of completed furniture and casework projects. Entitled Creative Interior Solutions the book showcases a selection of Madera’s work ranging from small end tables to entire office suites. You can preview the book here – and even order your own copy, too!
Real Functional Furniture!
August 26, 2009 – 2:37pm
Here is a short video of a built-in bookcase we recently completed. The clients wanted to create a craft project / sewing room for the Mrs. and the Mr. had always wanted a super-secret hidden room! We built the unit across a long family room. The new room behind the wall unit even has it’s [...]
The Quick and Dirty is here again!
August 24, 2009 – 8:16am
This Saturday Team Benchdog Regime will again take to the waters of Commencement Bay with the annual Quick and Dirty Boat Building Competition. We’ll get 4 sheets of 1/4″ plywood, 6 2 x 4s, 100 screws, 2 tubes of fast cure caulk, a mystery material and 6 hours to build a raceable boat! For us [...]
